MediaAlpha Announces Second Quarter 2025Financial Results
MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) reported strong Q2 2025 financial results, with revenue increasing 41% year-over-year to $251.6 million. The company achieved record Transaction Value of $480.8 million, up 49% year-over-year, driven by exceptional growth in the Property & Casualty insurance vertical, which grew 71% to $435 million.
However, the company recorded a net loss of $(22.5) million compared to net income of $4.4 million in Q2 2024, partly due to a $33 million FTC settlement reserve. Adjusted EBITDA improved to $24.5 million, up from $18.7 million year-over-year.
For Q3 2025, MediaAlpha expects Transaction Value between $545-570 million and revenue of $270-290 million, with P&C insurance vertical projected to grow 35% while Health insurance vertical is expected to decline 40-45% year-over-year.
MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) ha riportato solidi risultati finanziari per il secondo trimestre del 2025, con ricavi in aumento del 41% su base annua, raggiungendo 251,6 milioni di dollari. L'azienda ha registrato un valore di transazioni record di 480,8 milioni di dollari, in crescita del 49% rispetto allo stesso periodo dell'anno precedente, trainata da una crescita eccezionale nel settore delle assicurazioni Property & Casualty, che è aumentato del 71% arrivando a 435 milioni di dollari.
Tuttavia, la società ha riportato una perdita netta di 22,5 milioni di dollari rispetto a un utile netto di 4,4 milioni di dollari nel secondo trimestre del 2024, in parte a causa di una riserva di 33 milioni di dollari per un accordo con la FTC. L'EBITDA rettificato è migliorato a 24,5 milioni di dollari, rispetto ai 18,7 milioni dello stesso periodo dell'anno precedente.
Per il terzo trimestre del 2025, MediaAlpha prevede un valore di transazioni compreso tra 545 e 570 milioni di dollari e ricavi tra 270 e 290 milioni di dollari, con il settore assicurativo P&C previsto in crescita del 35%, mentre il settore delle assicurazioni sanitarie dovrebbe diminuire del 40-45% su base annua.
MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) reportó sólidos resultados financieros en el segundo trimestre de 2025, con ingresos que aumentaron un 41% interanual hasta 251,6 millones de dólares. La compañía alcanzó un valor récord de transacciones de 480,8 millones de dólares, un incremento del 49% interanual, impulsado por un crecimiento excepcional en el sector de seguros de Propiedad y Daños, que creció un 71% hasta 435 millones de dólares.
Sin embargo, la empresa registró una pérdida neta de 22,5 millones de dólares en comparación con una ganancia neta de 4,4 millones en el segundo trimestre de 2024, debido en parte a una reserva de 33 millones para un acuerdo con la FTC. El EBITDA ajustado mejoró a 24,5 millones de dólares, frente a los 18,7 millones del año anterior.
Para el tercer trimestre de 2025, MediaAlpha espera un valor de transacciones entre 545 y 570 millones de dólares y unos ingresos de 270 a 290 millones de dólares, con el sector de seguros P&C proyectado a crecer un 35%, mientras que el sector de seguros de salud se espera que disminuya un 40-45% interanual.
MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX)� 2025� 2분기 강력� 재무 실적� 발표했으�, 매출� 전년 동기 대� 41% 증가� 2� 5,160� 달러� 기록했습니다. 회사� 거래 금액� 4� 8,080� 달러� 사상 최고치를 기록했으�, 이는 전년 대� 49% 증가� 수치�, 특히 재산 � 상해 보험 부문이 71% 성장하여 4� 3,500� 달러� 달한 � 힘입은 결과입니�.
하지� 회사� 2024� 2분기 440� 달러 순이익과 비교� 2,250� 달러 순손�� 기록했는�, 이는 부분적으로 3,300� 달러� FTC 합의 준비금 때문입니�. 조정 EBITDA� 전년 대� 1,870� 달러에서 2,450� 달러� 개선되었습니�.
2025� 3분기에는 MediaAlpha가 거래 금액� 5� 4,500� 달러에서 5� 7,000� 달러 사이, 매출은 2� 7,000� 달러에서 2� 9,000� 달러 사이� 예상하며, 재산 � 상해 보험 부문은 35% 성장� 것으� 전망되는 반면 건강 보험 부문은 전년 대� 40~45% 감소� 것으� 예상됩니�.
MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) a publié de solides résultats financiers pour le deuxième trimestre 2025, avec un chiffre d'affaires en hausse de 41 % sur un an, atteignant 251,6 millions de dollars. La société a atteint une valeur de transaction record de 480,8 millions de dollars, en hausse de 49 % sur un an, portée par une croissance exceptionnelle dans le secteur des assurances Dommages, qui a augmenté de 71 % pour atteindre 435 millions de dollars.
Cependant, la société a enregistré une perte nette de 22,5 millions de dollars contre un bénéfice net de 4,4 millions au deuxième trimestre 2024, en partie en raison d'une provision de 33 millions liée à un accord avec la FTC. L'EBITDA ajusté s'est amélioré à 24,5 millions de dollars, contre 18,7 millions l'année précédente.
Pour le troisième trimestre 2025, MediaAlpha prévoit une valeur de transaction comprise entre 545 et 570 millions de dollars et un chiffre d'affaires de 270 à 290 millions de dollars, avec une croissance prévue de 35 % dans le secteur des assurances Dommages, tandis que le secteur des assurances santé devrait diminuer de 40 à 45 % sur un an.
MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) meldete starke Finanzergebnisse für das zweite Quartal 2025, mit einem Umsatzanstieg von 41 % im Jahresvergleich auf 251,6 Millionen US-Dollar. Das Unternehmen erzielte einen Rekord-Transaktionswert von 480,8 Millionen US-Dollar, was einem Anstieg von 49 % im Jahresvergleich entspricht, angetrieben durch ein außergewöhnliches Wachstum im Bereich Sach- und Unfallversicherung, der um 71 % auf 435 Millionen US-Dollar wuchs.
Allerdings verzeichnete das Unternehmen einen Nettoverlust von 22,5 Millionen US-Dollar im Vergleich zu einem Nettogewinn von 4,4 Millionen US-Dollar im zweiten Quartal 2024, teilweise aufgrund einer Rückstellung von 33 Millionen US-Dollar für eine FTC-Vereinbarung. Das bereinigte EBITDA verbesserte sich auf 24,5 Millionen US-Dollar, gegenüber 18,7 Millionen US-Dollar im Vorjahreszeitraum.
Für das dritte Quartal 2025 erwartet MediaAlpha einen Transaktionswert zwischen 545 und 570 Millionen US-Dollar sowie einen Umsatz von 270 bis 290 Millionen US-Dollar, wobei der Bereich Sach- und Unfallversicherung voraussichtlich um 35 % wächst, während der Bereich Krankenversicherung voraussichtlich um 40-45 % im Jahresvergleich zurückgeht.
- Record Transaction Value of $480.8M, up 49% year-over-year
- Property & Casualty vertical grew 71% to $435M
- Revenue increased 41% to $251.6M year-over-year
- Adjusted EBITDA grew to $24.5M from $18.7M year-over-year
- FTC inquiry fully resolved
- Net loss of $(22.5)M compared to $4.4M profit in Q2 2024
- Additional $33M FTC settlement reserve required
- Health insurance vertical declined 32% to $37M
- Gross margin decreased to 15.0% from 17.8% year-over-year
- Contribution Margin declined to 15.8% from 18.9% year-over-year
Insights
MediaAlpha posts strong P&C growth but net loss widens due to FTC settlement; margin pressure from vertical mix shift persists.
MediaAlpha delivered impressive topline growth with Q2 revenue increasing
However, beneath the strong revenue metrics are concerning profitability trends. The company swung to a net loss of
The company's guidance reveals a concerning revenue mix shift. While P&C continues strong growth at approximately
The resolution of the FTC inquiry removes a significant regulatory overhang, but the
Second Quarter Revenue Growth of
Record Transaction Value of
Second Quarter Net Loss of
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE: MAX) ("MediaAlpha" or the "Company"), today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June30, 2025.
“We delivered record second quarter results, led by
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
- Revenue of
$251.6 million , an increase of41% year over year; - Transaction Value of
$480.8 million , an increase of49% year over year;- Transaction Value from Property & Casualty up
71% year over year to$435 million - Transaction Value from Health down
32% year over year to$37 million
- Transaction Value from Property & Casualty up
- Gross margin of
15.0% , compared with17.8% in the second quarter of 2024; - Contribution Margin(1) of
15.8% , compared with18.9% in the second quarter of 2024; - Net loss was
$(22.5) million , compared with a net income of$4.4 million in the second quarter of 2024; and - Adjusted EBITDA(1) was
$24.5 million , compared with$18.7 million in the second quarter of 2024. - Additionally, the Company reached an agreement regarding a settlement with the FTC and has recorded an additional
$33.0 million reserve related to this matter in accordance with U.S. GAAP, bringing the total reserve to$45.0 million as of June 30, 2025.
(1)A reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures has been provided at the end of this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.�
Financial Outlook
Our guidance for the third quarter of 2025 reflects a strengthening of the trends in customer acquisition spending that we have seen in the first half of the year in our P&C insurance vertical. We expect Transaction Value in our P&C insurance vertical to grow approximately
We expect Adjusted EBITDA to grow at a slower rate than Transaction Value and revenue during the third quarter due to a year-over-year decrease in Contribution as a percentage of Transaction Value driven primarily by a decline in under-65 health, which historically operated at higher margins.
For the third quarter of 2025, MediaAlpha currently expects the following:
- Transaction Value between
$545 million -$570 million , representing a23% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range; - Revenue between
$270 million -$290 million , representing a8% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range; - Adjusted EBITDA between
$25.5 million -$27.5 million , representing a1% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range, including a$4 million year-over-year decline in Contribution from under-65. We are projecting Contribution less Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately$1 million higher than in Q2 2025.
With respect to the Company’s projections of Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution under “Financial Outlook,� MediaAlpha is not providing a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), or of Contribution to gross profit, because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the reconciling items that may affect the corresponding GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. These reconciling items are uncertain, depend on various factors and could significantly impact, either individually or in the aggregate, the corresponding GAAP measures for the applicable period.
For a detailed explanation of the Company’s non-GAAP measures, please refer to the appendix section of this press release.
Conference Call Information
MediaAlpha will host a Q&A conference call today to discuss the Company's second quarter 2025 results and its financial outlook for the third quarter of 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A live audio webcast of the call will be available on the MediaAlpha Investor Relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com. To register for the webcast, click . Participants may also dial-in, toll-free, at (800) 715-9871 or (646) 307-1963, with passcode 8453843. An audio replay of the conference call will be available following the call and available on the MediaAlpha Investor Relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com.
The Company has also posted a on its investor relations website. MediaAlpha has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation statements regarding our expectation that with the FTC matter behind us and our P&C insurance vertical delivering strong growth, we are poised for continued momentum for the remainder of 2025 and beyond; and our financial outlook for the third quarter of 2025. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,� “should,� “could,� “predict,� “potential,� “believe,� “will likely result,� “expect,� “continue,� “will,� “anticipate,� “seek,� “estimate,� “intend,� “plan,� “projection,� “would,� and “outlook,� or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including those more fully described in MediaAlpha’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC�), including the Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2025 and the Forms 10-Q filed on April 30, 2025 and to be filed on August6, 2025. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. MediaAlpha disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Metrics
This press release includes Adjusted EBITDA, Contribution, and Contribution Margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company also presents Transaction Value, which is an operating metric not presented in accordance with GAAP. See the appendix for definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Contribution, Contribution Margin and Transaction Value, as well as reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial metrics, as applicable.
We present Transaction Value, Adjusted EBITDA, Contribution, and Contribution Margin because they are used extensively by our management and board of directors to manage our operating performance, including evaluating our operational performance against budget and assessing our overall operating efficiency and operating leverage. Accordingly, we believe that Transaction Value, Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution Margin provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management team and board of directors. Each of Transaction Value, Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution Margin has limitations as a financial measure and investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
About MediaAlpha
We believe we are the insurance industry’s leading programmatic customer acquisition platform. With more than 1,200 active partners, excluding our agent partners, we connect insurance carriers with online shoppers and generated nearly 119 million Consumer Referrals in 2024. Our programmatic advertising technology over the last twelve months powered
Contacts:
Investors
Denise Garcia
Hayflower Partners
[email protected]
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited; in thousands, except share data and per share amounts) | |||||||
June 30, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
Assets | |||||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 85,381 | $ | 43,266 | |||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of | 102,776 | 142,932 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,317 | 3,711 | |||||
Total current assets | 192,474 | 189,909 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 4,613 | 19,985 | |||||
Goodwill | 47,739 | 47,739 | |||||
Other assets | 4,592 | 4,814 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 249,418 | $ | 262,447 | |||
Liabilities and stockholders' deficit | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 75,838 | $ | 105,563 | |||
Accrued expenses | 63,980 | 18,542 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 8,869 | 8,849 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 148,687 | 132,954 | |||||
Long-term debt, net of current portion | 149,154 | 153,596 | |||||
Liabilities under tax receivables agreement, net of current portion | � | 7,006 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 8,534 | 15,123 | |||||
Total liabilities | $ | 306,375 | $ | 308,679 | |||
Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
Stockholders' deficit | |||||||
Class A common stock, | 564 | 555 | |||||
Class B common stock, | 116 | 116 | |||||
Preferred stock, | � | � | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 522,169 | 507,640 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (526,623 | ) | (505,933 | ) | |||
Total stockholders' (deficit) equity attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc. | $ | (3,774 | ) | $ | 2,378 | ||
Non-controlling interests | (53,183 | ) | (48,610 | ) | |||
Total stockholders' deficit | $ | (56,957 | ) | $ | (46,232 | ) | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit | $ | 249,418 | $ | 262,447 | |||
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited; in thousands, except share data and per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 251,622 | $ | 178,274 | $ | 515,931 | $ | 304,923 | |||||||
Costs and operating expenses | |||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue | 213,935 | 146,589 | 436,605 | 249,558 | |||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 5,228 | 6,316 | 10,854 | 12,112 | |||||||||||
Product development | 5,353 | 5,052 | 10,239 | 9,415 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 47,148 | 13,824 | 64,743 | 24,973 | |||||||||||
Write-off of intangible assets | � | � | 13,416 | � | |||||||||||
Total costs and operating expenses | 271,664 | 171,781 | 535,857 | 296,058 | |||||||||||
(Loss) income from operations | (20,042 | ) | 6,493 | (19,926 | ) | 8,865 | |||||||||
Other (income), net | (695 | ) | (1,808 | ) | (1,151 | ) | (1,817 | ) | |||||||
Interest expense | 2,870 | 3,751 | 5,825 | 7,596 | |||||||||||
Total other expense, net | 2,175 | 1,943 | 4,674 | 5,779 | |||||||||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | (22,217 | ) | 4,550 | (24,600 | ) | 3,086 | |||||||||
Income tax expense | 316 | 130 | 267 | 157 | |||||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (22,533 | ) | $ | 4,420 | $ | (24,867 | ) | $ | 2,929 | |||||
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest | (3,791 | ) | 800 | (4,177 | ) | 422 | |||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc. | $ | (18,742 | ) | $ | 3,620 | $ | (20,690 | ) | $ | 2,507 | |||||
Net (loss) income per share of Class A common stock | |||||||||||||||
-Basic | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | 0.05 | |||||
-Diluted | $ | (0.33 | ) | $ | 0.07 | $ | (0.37 | ) | $ | 0.04 | |||||
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding | |||||||||||||||
-Basic | 56,141,117 | 53,367,896 | 55,888,125 | 50,971,172 | |||||||||||
-Diluted | 56,141,117 | 53,367,896 | 55,888,125 | 65,868,384 | |||||||||||
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited; in thousands) | |||||||
Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
2025 | 2024 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (24,867 | ) | $ | 2,929 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Equity-based compensation expense | 15,136 | 17,855 | |||||
Non-cash lease expense | 456 | 395 | |||||
Depreciation expense on property and equipment | 130 | 126 | |||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 1,956 | 3,218 | |||||
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs | 359 | 380 | |||||
Write-off of intangible assets | 13,416 | � | |||||
Credit losses | (192 | ) | 147 | ||||
Tax receivables agreement liability related adjustments | 79 | � | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | 40,348 | (37,070 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (637 | ) | 159 | ||||
Other assets | 250 | 249 | |||||
Accounts payable | (29,725 | ) | 34,325 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 32,714 | 574 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 49,423 | $ | 23,287 | |||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (232 | ) | (164 | ) | |||
Net cash (used in) investing activities | $ | (232 | ) | $ | (164 | ) | |
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||
Payments made for / proceeds received from: | |||||||
Repayments on long-term debt | (4,750 | ) | (7,797 | ) | |||
Contributions from QLH’s members | 391 | 756 | |||||
Distributions to non-controlling interests | (787 | ) | (1,017 | ) | |||
Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of restricted stock units | (1,930 | ) | (3,677 | ) | |||
Net cash (used in) financing activities | $ | (7,076 | ) | $ | (11,735 | ) | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 42,115 | 11,388 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 43,266 | 17,271 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 85,381 | $ | 28,659 | |||
Key business and operating metrics and Non-GAAP financial measures
Transaction Value
We define “Transaction Value� as the total gross dollars transacted by our partners on our platform. Transaction Value is an operating metric not presented in accordance with GAAP, and is a driver of revenue based on the economic relationships we have with our partners. Our partners use our platform to transact via Open and Private Marketplace transactions. In our Open Marketplace model, revenue recognized represents the fees paid by our Demand Partners for Consumer Referrals sold and is equal to the Transaction Value and revenue share payments to our Supply Partners represent costs of revenue. In our Private Marketplace model, revenue recognized represents a platform fee billed to the Demand Partner or Supply Partner based on an agreed-upon percentage of the Transaction Value for the Consumer Referrals transacted, and accordingly there are no associated costs of revenue. We utilize Transaction Value to assess the overall level of transaction activity through our platform. We believe it is useful to investors to assess the overall level of activity on our platform and to better understand the sources of our revenue across our different transaction models and verticals.
The following table presents Transaction Value by platform model for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Open Marketplace transactions | $ | 245,280 | $ | 171,504 | $ | 503,699 | $ | 293,933 | ||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 51.0 | % | 53.3 | % | 52.8 | % | 54.3 | % | ||||||||
Private Marketplace transactions | 235,499 | 150,306 | 450,181 | 246,983 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 49.0 | % | 46.7 | % | 47.2 | % | 45.7 | % | ||||||||
Total Transaction Value | $ | 480,779 | $ | 321,810 | $ | 953,880 | $ | 540,916 | ||||||||
The following table presents Transaction Value by vertical for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Property & Casualty insurance | $ | 435,351 | $ | 254,576 | $ | 842,198 | $ | 390,070 | ||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 90.6 | % | 79.1 | % | 88.3 | % | 72.1 | % | ||||||||
Health insurance | 37,413 | 55,278 | 95,092 | 124,365 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 7.8 | % | 17.2 | % | 10.0 | % | 23.0 | % | ||||||||
Life insurance | 6,819 | 7,886 | 13,775 | 18,123 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 1.4 | % | 2.5 | % | 1.4 | % | 3.4 | % | ||||||||
Other(1) | 1,196 | 4,070 | 2,815 | 8,358 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 0.2 | % | 1.2 | % | 0.3 | % | 1.5 | % | ||||||||
Total Transaction Value | $ | 480,779 | $ | 321,810 | $ | 953,880 | $ | 540,916 | ||||||||
(1)Our other verticals include Travel and Consumer Finance.
Contribution and Contribution Margin
We define “Contribution� as revenue less revenue share payments and online advertising costs, or, as reported in our consolidated statements of operations, revenue less cost of revenue (i.e., gross profit), as adjusted to exclude the following items from cost of revenue: equity-based compensation; salaries, wages, and related costs; internet and hosting costs; amortization; depreciation; other services; and merchant-related fees. We define “Contribution Margin� as Contribution expressed as a percentage of revenue for the same period. Contribution and Contribution Margin are non-GAAP financial measures that we present to supplement the financial information we present on a GAAP basis. We use Contribution and Contribution Margin to measure the return on our relationships with our Supply Partners (excluding certain fixed costs), the financial return on and efficacy of our online advertising costs to drive consumers to our proprietary websites, and our operating leverage. We do not use Contribution and Contribution Margin as measures of overall profitability. We present Contribution and Contribution Margin because they are used by our management and board of directors to manage our operating performance, including evaluating our operational performance against budget and assessing our overall operating efficiency and operating leverage. For example, if Contribution increases and our headcount costs and other operating expenses remain steady, our Adjusted EBITDA and operating leverage increase. If Contribution Margin decreases, we may choose to re-evaluate and re-negotiate our revenue share agreements with our Supply Partners, to make optimization and pricing changes with respect to our bids for keywords from primary traffic acquisition sources, or to change our overall cost structure with respect to headcount, fixed costs and other costs. Other companies may calculate Contribution and Contribution Margin differently than we do. Contribution and Contribution Margin have their limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table reconciles Contribution with gross profit, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 251,622 | $ | 178,274 | $ | 515,931 | $ | 304,923 | ||||||||
Less cost of revenue | (213,935 | ) | (146,589 | ) | (436,605 | ) | (249,558 | ) | ||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 37,687 | $ | 31,685 | $ | 79,326 | $ | 55,365 | ||||||||
Adjusted to exclude the following (as related to cost of revenue): | ||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | 277 | 392 | 571 | 2,249 | ||||||||||||
Salaries, wages, and related | 785 | 659 | 1,601 | 1,567 | ||||||||||||
Internet and hosting | 200 | 126 | 371 | 257 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses | 165 | 166 | 367 | 369 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 6 | 5 | 12 | 10 | ||||||||||||
Other services | 528 | 631 | 1,240 | 1,459 | ||||||||||||
Merchant-related fees | 188 | 78 | 330 | 142 | ||||||||||||
Contribution | $ | 39,836 | $ | 33,742 | $ | 83,818 | $ | 61,418 | ||||||||
Gross margin | 15.0 | % | 17.8 | % | 15.4 | % | 18.2 | % | ||||||||
Contribution Margin | 15.8 | % | 18.9 | % | 16.2 | % | 20.1 | % | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA
We define “Adjusted EBITDA� as net income (loss) excluding interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation expense on property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, as well as equity-based compensation expense and certain other adjustments as listed in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we present to supplement the financial information we present on a GAAP basis. We monitor and present Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management to understand and evaluate our operating performance, to establish budgets and to develop operational goals for managing our business. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA helps identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude in the calculations of Adjusted EBITDA. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects. In addition, presenting Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with a metric to evaluate the capital efficiency of our business.
Adjusted EBITDA is not presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation of, or as an alternative to, measures presented in accordance with GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA rather than net income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These limitations include the fact that Adjusted EBITDA excludes interest expense on debt, income tax expense (benefit), equity-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other adjustments that we consider to be useful to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results. In addition, other companies may use other measures to evaluate their performance, including different definitions of “Adjusted EBITDA,� which could reduce the usefulness of our Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison.
The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA with net (loss) income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (22,533 | ) | $ | 4,420 | $ | (24,867 | ) | $ | 2,929 | ||||||
Equity-based compensation expense | 8,112 | 9,221 | 15,136 | 17,855 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 2,870 | 3,751 | 5,825 | 7,596 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 316 | 130 | 267 | 157 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation expense on property and equipment | 68 | 65 | 130 | 126 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 512 | 1,609 | 1,956 | 3,218 | ||||||||||||
Transaction expenses(1) | � | 559 | � | 1,217 | ||||||||||||
Write-off of intangible assets(2) | � | � | 13,416 | � | ||||||||||||
Contract settlement(3) | � | (1,725 | ) | � | (1,725 | ) | ||||||||||
Changes in TRA related liability | 79 | � | 79 | � | ||||||||||||
Changes in Tax Indemnification Receivable | (185 | ) | (1 | ) | (206 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Legal expenses(4) | 35,263 | 711 | 42,142 | 1,788 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 24,502 | $ | 18,740 | $ | 53,878 | $ | 33,159 |
(1) | Transaction expenses consist of |
(2) | Write-off of intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2025 consist of a charge of |
(3) | Contract settlement consists of |
(4) | Legal expenses of |
